The origins and outbreak of the Second World War
This section focuses on the origins and outbreak of the Second World War, examining the development of tension through Hitler's aims, Allied reactions, the escalation of tension in Europe, and the final breakdown of peace leading to the invasion of Poland in September 1939.
Quick Revision Summary (Key Takeaway)
The origins and outbreak of the Second World War (AQA GCSE History) examines the failure of the League of Nations, the policy of appeasement, and Hitler's aggressive expansion from 1933-1939. Key events include the remilitarisation of the Rhineland, Anschluss with Austria, the Munich Agreement, and the invasion of Poland, which triggered Britain and France's declaration of war on 3 September 1939.
Topic Overview
The origins and outbreak of the Second World War is a key topic in AQA GCSE History, focusing on the period 1919-1939. It explores why the peace settlement after WWI failed to prevent another global conflict, examining the weaknesses of the League of Nations, the impact of the Great Depression, and the aggressive foreign policy of Nazi Germany. Students must understand how Hitler's actions—from remilitarising the Rhineland to invading Poland—were met with appeasement by Britain and France, ultimately leading to war.
This topic is crucial because it explains how international relations collapsed in the interwar years. It connects to wider themes such as the failure of collective security, the role of nationalism, and the consequences of economic instability. By studying this, students gain insight into the causes of one of the deadliest conflicts in history and the lessons learned for modern diplomacy.
In the AQA GCSE exam, questions often require students to analyse causation, evaluate the effectiveness of appeasement, and explain key events like the Nazi-Soviet Pact. Mastery of specific dates, terms, and historical interpretations is essential for achieving top marks. This topic also links to later modules on the war itself and the Holocaust.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Appeasement: The policy of giving in to Hitler's demands to avoid war, pursued by Chamberlain and Daladier.
- →Collective security: The idea that countries would act together to prevent aggression, as attempted by the League of Nations.
- →Nazi-Soviet Pact: A non-aggression pact (1939) that allowed Germany to invade Poland without Soviet interference.
- →Anschluss: The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938, which violated the Treaty of Versailles.
- →Sudetenland: The German-speaking region of Czechoslovakia that Hitler demanded, leading to the Munich Agreement (1938).
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- Hitler's aims and Allied reactions (Dollfuss Affair, the Saar, rearmament, Stresa Front, Anglo-German Naval Agreement)
- Escalation of tension (remilitarisation of the Rhineland, Mussolini, Axis, Anti-Comintern Pact, Anschluss)
- Appeasement (reasons for and against, Sudeten Crisis, Munich, ending of appeasement)
- Outbreak of war (occupation of Czechoslovakia, role of the USSR, Nazi-Soviet Pact, invasion of Poland, September 1939)
- Responsibility for the outbreak of war (Hitler, Stalin, Chamberlain)
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- Hitler's aims and Allied reactions (Dollfuss Affair, the Saar, rearmament, Stresa Front, Anglo-German Naval Agreement)
- Escalation of tension (remilitarisation of the Rhineland, Mussolini, Axis, Anti-Comintern Pact, Anschluss)
- Appeasement (reasons for and against, Sudeten Crisis, Munich, ending of appeasement)
- Outbreak of war (occupation of Czechoslovakia, role of the USSR, Nazi-Soviet Pact, invasion of Poland, September 1939)
- Responsibility for the outbreak of war (Hitler, Stalin, Chamberlain)
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Use specific dates and events to support your arguments. For example, 'The remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936) was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties.'
- 💡When evaluating appeasement, consider both short-term and long-term consequences. Short-term: it bought time for rearmament. Long-term: it emboldened Hitler.
- 💡Always link causes together. For instance, the Treaty of Versailles caused resentment, which Hitler exploited, and appeasement allowed him to act without opposition.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Misconception: Appeasement was universally popular. Correction: While many supported it, some politicians like Churchill opposed it, arguing it encouraged Hitler.
- Misconception: The League of Nations was completely useless. Correction: The League had some successes in the 1920s (e.g., resolving the Aaland Islands dispute), but failed in the 1930s due to lack of US membership and the Great Depression.
- Misconception: Hitler planned WWII from the start. Correction: Hitler's foreign policy was opportunistic; he took risks (e.g., remilitarising the Rhineland) and was surprised by Britain's guarantee to Poland in 1939.
Revision Plan
How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks
- 1Week 1: Focus on the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. Create a timeline of key events from 1919-1936. Use flashcards for dates and terms.
- 2Week 2: Study Hitler's foreign policy aims and the policy of appeasement. Analyse the Munich Agreement and the Nazi-Soviet Pact. Practice 6-mark 'Explain why' questions.
- 3Week 3: Revise the outbreak of war: the invasion of Poland and declarations of war. Write a 12-mark essay on the causes of WWII. Use past papers to test yourself.
- 4Week 4: Consolidate with active recall: quiz yourself on key facts, write summaries, and discuss interpretations with a study partner.
Exam Question Types
How this topic typically appears in the exam
- 📋4-mark 'Describe' questions: e.g., 'Describe the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.' Focus on specific details and numbers.
- 📋6-mark 'Explain why' questions: e.g., 'Explain why the policy of appeasement was followed.' Use PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) structure.
- 📋12-mark 'How far do you agree?' questions: e.g., 'The main cause of WWII was the Treaty of Versailles.' Present balanced arguments with a clear conclusion.
- 📋8-mark 'Write an account' questions: e.g., 'Write an account of how the Nazi-Soviet Pact led to the outbreak of WWII.' Focus on narrative and causation.
Command Word Expectations (AQA)
What examiners look for when using specific command words in this specification
Provide a detailed account of key features or terms. No analysis needed; focus on factual recall. Use specific dates, names, and numbers.
Give reasons for why something happened. Use 'because' and link causes to effects. Provide specific evidence to support each point.
Make a judgement about the importance or effectiveness of something. Present both sides of an argument and reach a balanced conclusion.
How Students Lose Marks (Examiner Pitfalls)
Common mark loss traps and how to write 100% full-mark answers
Step-by-Step Worked Solutions
Detailed solution breakdown for typical exam problems
Question: Explain why the policy of appeasement was followed by Britain and France in the 1930s. (6 marks)
- 1.Step 1: Identify the main reasons: fear of another war, economic weakness, sympathy for Germany's grievances over Versailles, and the belief that Hitler's demands were reasonable.
- 2.Step 2: Explain each reason with specific detail: e.g., memories of WWI made leaders like Chamberlain desperate to avoid conflict; Britain's economy was still recovering from the Great Depression; many felt the Treaty of Versailles was too harsh on Germany.
- 3.Step 3: Conclude by linking to specific events: e.g., the remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936) and Anschluss (1938) were accepted without opposition, showing appeasement in action.
Question: Describe the terms of the Treaty of Versailles that affected Germany. (4 marks)
- 1.Step 1: List the key terms: war guilt, reparations, territorial losses, military restrictions.
- 2.Step 2: Provide specific numbers: reparations of £6.6 billion; army limited to 100,000 men; no air force, submarines, or tanks; loss of Alsace-Lorraine and the Polish Corridor.
- 3.Step 3: Explain how these terms created resentment: e.g., war guilt clause humiliated Germany, reparations crippled the economy.
Active Recall Memory Test
Test your memory before revealing the key facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •The Treaty of Versailles and its impact on Germany (1919-1923).
- •The League of Nations: structure, successes, and failures in the 1920s and 1930s.
- •The rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany (1933-1939).
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
Ready to test yourself?
Practice questions tailored to this topic